By the end of the day, these same students were at a locked-in retreat at the Civic Center. During the evening, there were presentations dealing with choices and consequences, peer pressure, and the law in relation to driving while intoxicated. There were games and activities, that while being on the goofy side, showed how easily your perception can become distorted by alcohol. Probably the hardest activity for them was to write a "last letter" to their loved ones – as if they knew they were really going to die – what would they say? (Their families were asked to participate in this same activity.)

On Thursday, March 11th, there was a "Closing Assembly" held at the Armadillo Arena. It opened with a video, filmed and edited by Jackie Dyer, showing the events of the "crash, deaths, and arrest". One of our guest speakers, Bro. Sam Crosby, introduced this year’s participants and addressed the audience concerning the seriousness of the "Shattered Dreams" program relating to our everyday life. That was followed by the emotional reading of some of the letters by four of the parents: Chantay Hibler, David Wright, Darla Dennis and Becky Starr and by some of the students: Regan Hartranft, Reid Casco, Maria Perez, Connor Arrington, Kelli Cox, Amber Plumley, Tayler Hibler, Marisela Zapata, Micah Hibler, Silvia Jimenez, Buddy Bush and Bonnie Hunt. The second guest speaker, Casey Dusza, a regional representative for Teens in the Driver Seat Center with Texas Transportation Institute, explained to the audience how her program works for students.

This program was requested by the FCCLA group of Amanda Saldivar, Buddy Bush and Rubi Cervantes and could have only been accomplished with the help of:

Air Evac LifeTeam of Brownwood, Alesha Rogers, Anna Solis and Dailey-Wells Communication, Bro. Sam Crosby, Casey Dusza with Teens in the Driver Seat Center, Cathi Miles, Central Texas Council of Governments and their 9-1-1 department, Charlie Singleton, City of San Saba, City of San Saba Police Department, Dairy Queen, Diane Woods, Double G Pit Stop, Eric Morgan, Gayla Hawkins, Gina Harbour, Grady Harris with Texas Screen Graphics, Hamrick’s Automotive, Hermina Paredez, Howell-Doran Funeral Home, Jackie Dyer, Les Dawson as Justice of the Peace, Linda Sloan, Llano County EMS, Llano Memorial Hospital, Machelle Delarosa, McCoury’s, Michael Deans with Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, Mike Thomas, Missy King with Central Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Nell McHorse, Peggy Boswell, Phyllis Davis, Rick and Sandra Baskin, Rick’s Pizza, Rylander Memorial Library, Sandra Key, San Saba County EMS, Inc., San Saba Sheriff’s Department, San Saba I.S.D., San Saba Ladies Golf Association, San Saba Ministerial Alliance, San Saba River Golf Course, San Saba Rotary Club, San Saba Volunteer Fire Department, Sandra Parker with TXDOT, Shane Garkie, 6 Pak, Skeebo Norris and KBAL Radio, Sonic Drive-In, Stafford Chevron, Subway, Texas Department of Transportation [San Saba Division], The Ice House, The Rose Shop, Tony Guidroz, Top Donuts and West End Convenience Store. And, last but surely not least, to this years participants: Connor Arrington, Buddy Bush, Reid Casco, Rubi Cervantes, Kelli Cox, Lauren Dawson, Anita Gamboa, Regan Hartranft, Micah Hibler, Tayler Hibler, Bonnie Hunt, Julie Jimenez, Silvia Jimenez, Tyler Lackey, Manuel Landeros, Nina Paredez, Maria Perez, Audrey Pierce, Amber Plumley, Pedro Prado, Maloree Ramos, Amanda Saldivar, Anthony Salinas, Kristen Sheppard, Heather Spence, Nick Tasker, Danessa Vasquez, Rebekah Wright, Marisela Zapata and Bianca Zepeda.

This program can only be accomplished exactly as it was – with the total cooperation of an entire community, check out the list above and you’ll only see a handful of names not from this county. I’m proud to say THANK-YOU to San Saba County for its participation in this important program for our youth.